CE8E – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS AY2018-2019

LECTURE 2 – PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

PRESSURE – force applied uniformly over a surface

𝐹 𝑑𝐹
𝑃= =
𝐴 𝑑𝐴
Common units: psi(lb/in^2), psf(lb/ft^2), Pa(N/m^2)
 Atmospheric pressure, Patm – pressure exerted by the weight of air above us.
Patm at sea level = 1 atm = 101.325kPa (14.7psi)
= 760mmHg (29.9in Hg)
= 10.34m H2O (33.91ft H2O)
 Absolute zero – the lower limit of atmospheric pressure or the perfect vacuum
 Gauge pressure, Pg = the pressure measured relative to atmosphere as datum
- Taken positive (+) if measured above atmosphere
- Taken negative (-) if measured below atmosphere.
 Absolute pressure, Pabs – pressure measured above absolute zero, always positive (+)
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 + 𝑃𝑔
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE –pressure acted by liquid (gauge pressure) plus any pressure
acting on the surface of the liquid
 General Idea – weights acts static liquid thus creating pressure, assuming weight of air on
liquid surface is zero.
 Derivation

Pressure liquid alone

P=W/A=LIQV/A = LIQh

P=± Pg + Lh

 Variation of Pressure in Static Liquids

∑ 𝐹1−2 = 0
0 =F1 - F2 – Wsinθ
0 = -PxA + (P+ΔP)xA –
L(AS)x(Δh/S)
P2 – P1 = L(h2 – h1)

Pressure increases with depth, h

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CE8E – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS AY2018-2019

LATERAL PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION

VERTICAL PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION

PRESSURE ON OTHER SURFACES

PRESSURE VARIATION OF DIFFERENT LIQUIDS

Pressure Head – the vertical height h of any liquid of specific weight, L, which can be converted
to a gauge pressure P
𝑃
ℎ=
𝛾
EQUIVALENT HEIGHT – height of another liquid which gives the same amount of pressure as a
certain liquid
Principle: two liquids with different heights exert the same amount of pressure.
MANOMETERS – devices used to measure pressure
A. PIEZOMETER COLUMN – vertical, open glass tube
B. U TUBE OPEN TYPE – U shaped glass tube, with one leg open to atmosphere, partially filled
with liquid of known property called manometer liquid
C. U TUBE DIFFERENTIAL TYPE - both legs are exposed to different pressures thus measuring
pressure difference.

PROBLEM EXERCISES:

1. The weight density of a mud is given by γ = (h2 + 2h + 3)/(h + 1) where γ is in kN/m3 and h is
in meters. Determine the pressure in kPa at a depth of 5 m.
(21.083519 kPa)
2. If the pressure in a tank is 50 psi, find the equivalent pressure head of
a. Water
b. Mercury
c. Heavy oil with specific gravity of 0.92

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CE8E – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS AY2018-2019

(115.38462 ft, 8.48416 ft, 125.41806 ft)

3. Calculate the pressure at A, B, C, and D in kPa. Use γ = 9.79 kN/m3

(-7.832 kPa, 4.895 kPa, 4.895 kPa, 21.6359 kPa)

4. If the absolute pressure in a gas is 40.0 psia and the atmospheric pressure is 846 mbar abs,
find the gage pressure in
a. psi
b. kPa
c. bar
(191.26421 kPa)
5. In figure shown, atmospheric pressure is 14.80 psia; the gage reading at A is 3.7 psi; the
vapor pressure of the alcohol is 1.4 psia.
a. Compute x
b. Compute y
(43.84615 ft, 5.48077 ft)

6. The system in the figure shown is at 200C. If atmospheric pressure is 101.03 kPa and the
absolute pressure at the bottom of the tank is 231.3 kPa, what is the specific gravity of olive
oil? ( sg = 1.39 ) use sg of SAE 30 oil = 0.89 and unit weight of water = 9.79 kN/m3
(1.39015)

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CE8E – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS AY2018-2019

7. The air-oil water system shown is at 700F. if gage A reads 16.1 lb/in2
abs and gage B reads 2.00 lb/in2 less than gage C.
a. Compute the specific weight of the oil
b. Compute the reading of gage C.
Use unit weight of air = 0.075 lb/ft3
(50.4 lb/ft3, 18.80156 lb/in2)

8. Calculate the weight of the piston if the gage pressure reading is

70.00kPa. Use γ H2O = 9.79 kN/m^3

9. A manometer is attached to a tank containing three

different fluids as shown. What will be the difference
in elevation of the mercury column in the manometer
“y”? Use γ H2O = 9.79 kN/m^3

10. A force of 460 N is exerted on lever AB as shown. End B is connected to a piston which fits
into a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm. What force FD acts on the large piston, if the
volume between C and D is filled with water?

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CE8E – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS AY2018-2019

(15.83593 kN)

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